Protector for ladies  boots



(No Model.) H. J. WESG'OTT.

v PROTECTOR FOR LADIES BOOTS. No. 519,053. I I I Patented May 1,1894. FIG 3 WITIVEYSSESI: V IIVVE/VTOR ST 'rns ATENT OFFICE.

PROTECTOR FOR LADIES BOOTS.

I SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 519,053, dated May 1,1894. Application filed June 17,1891. Serial No. 396,618. (No model.)

To ail whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that. I, HARRIET J. WESOOTT, of Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Guard or Protector for the Finished Surfaces of Ladies Boots, of which the follow- 1ng 1s a full and exact description when taken together with the accompanying d rawings and the reference letters thereon.

The nature of my invention relates to a very simple device having the two members a and b, and not toa device for enveloping the boot, shoe, or ankle, as a general protecting, warmth giv ng or moisture excluding contrivance, but is limited exclusively to a device having two distinct members, which may be made of separate pieces of materialand connected together, or maybecutfrom asinglepiece, together with 1ts connecting strips or bands.

l am well aware that variously devised over garters and protectors for the foot, ankle, and boot or shoe, have been made heretofore. Therefore the nature of my invention relates exclusively to a device having the two members above referred to, viz: one havingadelicate tongue-likeextension downwardlytoward the toe, on and over the central, longitudinal ridge of theinstep or upper ridge of the foot, anda corresponding tongue-like extenslon also in the opposite direction, upwardly in front of and on the central ridge of the instep and ankle forward. This comprises one member. The other member is of a somewhat similar character, viz: a member havrug a downwardly extending tongue-like progectmg part or extension toward the base of the heel, and another upwardly extending tongue-like extension upon and behind the ankle and heel. These parts are formed or cut into as delicate and tasteful a pattern and proportions as is consistent with the practicabilltyofkeeping themwhen properlystifiened, 1n their normal shape and position. These two members are then connected by suitable strips, straps, or bands as indicated in the drawings. The straps or bands should be made as delicate and inconspicuous as is possibly consistent with the required strength, and to avoid covering any more of the surface of the boot or shoe thanis absolutely required for the purpose of securing the two prominent members above described.

The use and purpose of the twomembers referred to, and of the invention as a whole, is not to give warmth or protection to the foot or ankle, and not in general to protect the boot or shoe, or the boot or shoe uppers, as a whole. On the contrary, it is a leading object to avoid added warmth,and as the drawadaptation to this purpose, and certainly none have accomplished it, nor do they even approach such a result. In other words, all are utterly useless for the specific purpose set forth in this application.

In'the drawings the words instep and heel are inscribed on these parts respectively, to indicate the part of the boot that each member is to protect.

The nature of my invention may further be said to relate to the protection of the finished surface of the boot and not at all to give warmth or protection to the wearers foot. It is consequently made of a very light and delicately formed shape,'covering as far as possible only those parts of the'boot most exposed to the chafing action of skirts, &c.,the ridge of the boot or shoe from the toe centrally up the instep and ankle, and\ the central rear of the boot, up and down. I

The invention as already intimated consists of two prime members viz: a b instep and heel. These may be shaped in any pleasing and artistic form so that they properly fit and guard the two principally exposed parts of the finished surface of the boot viz: the instep and the upright part over the heel. These two members a and b are united by means of suitable reduced terminals in the directions desired, provided with buttons and button holes or other of the numerous fastening devices adapted to fastening boots, gloves, 860. Or they may have neatly attached straps, elastic or otherwise provided with such or any similar means for fastening them.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1. is an inverted view of the device illustrating my invention. Fig. 2. is a side perspective view, in both these views the heel fastening is unbuttoned. Fig. 3. is like the first two a perspective view, but unlike them the guard is buttoned and appears in natural position much as it would appear if it were in use on a boot, the boot not being shown. Figs. 4:. and 5. are perspective views of opposite sides of a boot including the boot guard or protector buttoned thereon. Figs. 6. 7. 8. and,9. are similar views drawn to illustratethe many variations in artistic form, and in fastening straps or terminals, that may easily be made at the suggestion of fashion or the trade.

Like letters of referencedesignate the same or corresponding parts in all the figures.

It will be readily inferred from the illustrations', that the whole devicemaybe cut from onepie'c'e of leather, waterproof or other fabric or material, or the device may be made up of several parts united by fanciful stitching or other means used and approved in the art forsimilar purposes.

lhe ladies will most appreciate this invention though it obviously applies in the case of any fine boot, and they need not be reminded of the annoyance and chagrin with which they have so often observed the ruined condition of the finished surface of an elegant pair of boots, caused by the chafing, mainly of theskirts and like wearing agents. Nor will the ladies fail to appreciate at a glance the great economy as well as comfort and satisfaction obviously to come from the use of so simple, complete, useful and effective a device. It is obvious that constructed as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, it will ordinarily not be necessary in removing the guard to unfasten except about the ankle, it being practicable to slip the guard from the toe of the boot when the ankle fastening is released. So in putting on it may slip on in like manner already buttoned under the foot.

I claim 1. The boot and shoe protector as constructed viz: having a front or instep protecting member tapered both upwardly and downwardly from a wider central portion towhich the side and bottom connections are united, and a rear protecting member also made with a taper both upwardly and downwardly from a central wider portion to which the side and bottom connections are united, together with said side and bottom connections of any suitable construction, substantially as described.

2. The two guards united at the sides and underneath by strap-like con nections, the rear one being constructed of a form taperingboth upwardly and downwardly, and the front one also being constructed of a form taperingboth upwardly and downwardly but having alsoa central narrower-waist part between the bases of said front tapering parts, substantially as described.

3. A boot and shoe surface protector cut from a single piece of material and having two narrow surface guards to extend up and down longitudinally one over the instep part and one over the surface above the rear end of the boot or shoe heel and having narrow prolongations for connections, provided with fastenings about the ankle and underthe boot or shoe, substantially as and for the purpose sett'orth.

4. In a boot and shoe protector-constructed for attachment over the boot as specified, the front guard having both an upwardly and downwardly projecting tongue substantially as shown and described.

5. In a boot and shoe protector constructed for attachment over the boot as specifiechthe rear guard having both an upwardly and a downwardly projecting tongue, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a boot and shoe protector constructed for attachment over the boot as specified, the front and rear guards both provided with the central tongue like extensions substantially as shown and described.

H. J. WESCOTT.

Witnesses:

D. N. B. COFFIN, Lines A. McGnoUeH. 

